File card with magnetic insert



May 8, 1962 N. P. MATHIESEN FILE CARD WITH MAGNETIC INSERT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29, 1959 INVENTOR WM BY y 1962 N. P. MATHIESEN 3,033,208

FILE CARD WITH MAGNETIC INSERT Filed Jan. 29, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 1/ 4 m/mv ATTORNEYS 3,033,208 FILE CARD WITH MAGNETIC INSERT Nicolaus Per Mathiesen, Rutland, Vt. (1512 Primm Ave., San Jose 22, Calif.) Filed Jan. 29, 1959, Ser. No. 789,880 Claims. (Cl. 12916) This invention relates to card filing devices of the type utilizing magnetic force for causing the separation or fanning of a plurality of cards disposed in a tray or the like, for facilitating the inspection of such cards. Devices of this general character are described and claimed in United States Patent Nos. 2,656,091 and 2,722,936 and it is the general object of the present invention to provide an improvement over the devices disclosed in such patents.

The aforesaid United States patents relate to devices in which the individual cards are provided with magnetic portions, such as thin pieces of soft iron, laminated between the paper layers of the card, each such card having two magnetic inserts disposed at or adjacent the respective side edgesof the cards, and at points near the top edges thereof, the trays for storing such cards being provided with magnets disposed longitudinally outside the side walls of the trays at or near their upper edges. While such devices are in general quite satisfactorily operative, in that the prescribed movement of the permanent magnets causes the cards to fan out due to the magnetic repulsion effect induced between their respective magnetic inserts, caused by the magnetism induced therein through their juxtaposition to the aforesaid permanent magnets, it sometimes happens that one or more of the cards in such a tray will adhere to one or the other side wall of the tray, due to attraction by one or another of the magnets extending lengthwise outside the tray side walls, thus interfering with the normal operation of the device. The present invention eliminates this difliculty and, moreover, provides an arrangement in which a single magnet serves the same purpose heretofore requiring two (or two pairs) of permanent magnets.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a card index device comprising a tray and a plurality of cards disposed therein in face to face relation, each card having a magnetic portion disposed substantially midway of its breadth, and near the bottom edge of the card, the card and magnetic portion being formed to provide a slot extending from a point within the area of the magnetic portion to the bottom edge of the card, the tray having a permanent magnet movably associated therewith and extending longitudinally thereof at a position substantially midway between the tray side walls and substantially above the bottom of the tray, the permanent magnet being relatively long and thin and being magnetized and disposed with its longer edges constituting opposite poles in vertical alignment, and means for moving the magnet translationally in a vertical path so as to cause it to move into and out of that part of the slots, in the cards, which extends within the magnetic portions of the cards, thus causing the cards alternatively to separate, through magnetic propulsion, or to assume a natural position of repose.

Other objects are the provision, separately, of the trays and cards included in the aforesaid combination.

Another object is the provision, in a device of the character described, of a magnet housing of non-magnetic material supported on and longitudinally of the tray approxi mately midway between its side walls, which housing is of inverted U-section and encloses the permanent magnet both in its upper and lower positions, said housing having a transverse dimension smaller than the width of the slots in the cards, which straddle the said housing.

3,033,208 Patented May 8, 1962 A further object is the provision, in a device of the character defined in the preceding paragraph, of a magnetic lining for said housing extending part way up the inner surfaces of its walls and forming a magnetic shunt for the magnet when the latter is in its lower position.

Another object is the provision, in a device of the type described, of novel, simple and inexpensive operating mechanism for manually moving the magnet between its upper and lower positions.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the description which follows, read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a tray constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse section on line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a portion of the permanent magnet and its supporting and guiding devices;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1, but with parts of one end wall and of the magnet housing broken away, and the near side wall removed;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical longitudinal section on line 6-6 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the side wall not shown in FIGURE 5, with parts broken away; and

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of an index card constrncted in accordance with the invention.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made to the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptive languagev is employed. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the invention is thereby intended and that various changes and alterations are contemplated such as l and 5) for the reception of suitable removable dividers (not shown) for separating groups of cards. The side and end walls 11-14 may be of any suitable construction, the simple and inexpensive form illustrated consisting of sheet metal bent upon itself in the case of the end walls 11 and 12 and movable side wall 14, or of a single thickness as in the case of the side wall 13. The walls 11, 12 and 13 are secured to the bottom 16) in any suitable fashion as by welding or soldering. The inner surfaces of the respective end walls 11 and 12 are slotted as at 17 for a purpose to be later described. The construction thus far described is preferably formed of any suitable nonmagnetic material such as aluminum, plastic or fiber.

A magnet housing 18 of non-magnetic material and of inverted U-section extends longitudinally between the end walls 11 and 12 and is spaced midway between the side walls 13 and 14 (the latter when in closed position). The housing 18, being relatively high and narrow, extends downwardly to, and is supported on, the bottom 10 and provides a center guide for the cards later to be described, which straddle it. Linings 19 (FIGURE 2) of magnetic material (for example soft iron), are secured interiorly of the respective legs of the housinglS and extend upwardly thereof terminating a substantial distance, however, below the upper extremity of the housing 18. The lower edges of the linings 19 may be secured to the bottom 10 in any suitable fashion.

A movable side wall 14 of the tray is provided with a generally horizontal extension 20 of substantially the same longitudinal dimension as the wall 14 and of a transverse dimension slightly exceeding one-half the width of the tray. The inner leg 14 (FIGURE 7) of the double thickness wall 14 is formed to provide, at spaced intervals, recesses 21 and apertured tongues or lugs 22. As best seen in FIGURE 5, that edge of the bottom which is adjacent the side wall 14 is formed to provide eyes or loops 23 which are so spaced and dimensioned as to receive therethrough the tongues 22 of the wall 14, the said tongues being secured against detachment from the eyes 23 by means of pins 24 (FIGURE 2) extending through the apertures in the tongue 22 and deformed to prevent their inadvertent removal. The Wall 14 is thus detachably articulated to the bottom 10.

The horizontal extension of the wall 14 is likewise provided, at spaced intervals along its free edge, with apertured tongues 25 for reception Within similarly spaced slots 26 (FIGURE 4) of a magnet supporting member 27. The latter is formed of suitable non-magnetic material, extends longitudinally throughout a substantial portion of the length of the tray, substantially centrally thereof between its side walls, and in a vertical position. The magnet supporting member 27 is provided, at its upper edge, with a yoke portion 28 for receiving and supporting a permanent magnet 29 which extends throughout the length of the tray. The magnet 29 is relatively long and thin, and is magnetized so that its upper and lower edges, respectively, constitute opposite poles in vertical alignment. Preferably, the magnet 29 is provided at either end with a roller 30 journalled on a stud 31 supported from the magnet 29 by means of a bracket 32, the rollers 30 extending within the slots 17 of the respective end walls and serving to guide the magnet 29 in its vertical reciprocating movements, thus preventing undue friction or binding of the magnet within its housing 18.

By virtue of the construction thus far described, it will be understood that vertical translatory movements of the magnet 29 may be brought about by pivoting the wall 14 about its articulation 22, 23 with the bottom 10, an outward movement of the wall causing the magnet 29 to rise to the position shown in chain lines in FIGURE 2, while inward movement of the Wall 14 into abutment with the adjacent edges of the respective end walls causes the magnet 29 to resume the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 2.

An index card adapted for use with the tray just described is illustrated in FIGURE 8 and comprise a non-magnetic element 35 of suitable size and shape, formed of material suitable for the inscription thereon of the desired intelligence, and a magnetic insert 36 for example consisting of a thin piece of soft iron, aifixed to the non-magnetic element 35 at a point midway of the beadth and substantially above the bottom edge of the non-magnetic element. Preferably, the magnetic element 36 is inserted between layers of the material constituting the non-magnetic element 35 so as not to obscure a portion of the potentially usable surface of the latter.

The card, consisting of the non-magnetic element 35 and the magnetic insert 36 is formed to provide a slot 37 extending from the bottom edge 38 of the card to a point well within, and disposed centrally between the side edges of, the magnetic element 36. Preferably the respective edges of the slot 37 are flared or tapered outwardly at the bottom, as indicated at 39, to facilitate positioning the cards in straddling relation over the magnet housing 18. The slot 37 is, of course, sufiiciently wide to fit over the housing 18, and of sufficient height relative to the housing 18 so that the bottom edges of the cards may rest upon the ridges 15 of the bottom 10 of the tray.

From the foregoing description it is believed that the 4 operation of the device may be readily understood. When it is desired visually to survey a group of cards which are reposing in normal position within the tray of the present invention, the operator merely swings the side wall 14 outwardly to the position illustrated in chain lines in FIGURE 2. This causes the magnet 29 to be elevated to the position shown in chain lines in that figure in which position it is well within that portion of the slot 37 of each card which lies within the area of the magnetic insert 36. The magnetic field thus encompassing the inserts 36 of the respective cards induces, in each such insert, like poles in like locations, thus causing the cards to spread apart through magnetic repulsion. When so spread, at least a substantial upper portion of each card may be visually inspected without the necessity of the operator touching Or handling the cards in any way. Of course, the total volume of cards contained in the tray must be sufiiciently below the volumetric capacity of the tray so that room is afforded for the cards to spread apart, under the influence of the magnet 29, to a useful extent.

When the inspection is finished, and it is desired to allow the cards to return to their natural position of repose, the side wall 14 is swung inwardly to the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 2, thus lowering the magnet 29 to the position shown in solid lines in that figure. In this position, the magnet is below the magnetic inserts 36 of the respective cards, and is between the linings 19 of magnetic material which thus serve as a magnetic shunt for the field of the magnet 29, preventing any substantial portion of its magnetic flux from affecting the inserts 36.

In addition to the other advantages resulting from the substitution of a single centrally located magnetic insert for the two laterally disposed magnetic inserts heretofore used, the operators are protected from cutting their fingers on the sharp edges of steel inserts protruding from the sides of the cards and, moreover, the centrally disposed magnet has less disturbing effects upon wrist watches worn by the operators.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Card index device comprising a tray having a bottom, side walls, and end walls, and a plurality of cards disposed therein in face to face relation and generally upright position, each said card having a magnetic portion disposed substantially midway of its breadth and substantially above the bottom edge thereof, said card and magnetic portion having a slot extending from a point within the area of said magnetic portion to the bottom edge of said card, a magnet movably mounted on said tray and extending longitudinally thereof at a position substantially midway between said side walls and substantially above said bottom, said magnet extending through said slots in said cards, said magnet being relatively long and thin and being magnetized and disposed with its respective longer edges constituting opposite poles in vertical alignment, and means for supporting and moving said magnet translationally in a vertical path extending through said slots to cause the magnet to move into and out of that part of the said slots extending within the magnetic portions of said cards.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, including a magnet housing of non-magnetic material supported on and extending longitudinally of said tray approximately midway between said side walls, said housing being of inverted U-section and enclosing the said magnet in both upper and lower positions of the latter, said housing having a transverse dimension smaller than the width of said slots, said cards straddling said housing.

3. The combination defined in claim 2, including a lining of magnetic material extending part way up the inner surface of each side wall of said housing, and serving as a magnetic shunt when said magnet is in its lower position.

4. The combination defined in claim 1, said magnet supporting and moving means comprising means hinging one said side wall to the adjacent edge of said bottom for angular outward motion relative to the interior of said tray, said side wall having a generally horizontal 5 extension, and a magnet supporting member articulated to said horizontal extension whereby outward movement of said side wall raises said magnet and vice versa.

5. The combination defined in claim 1, including means for guiding said magnet movements relative to the end 10 walls of said tray.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Stillwell July 8, 1913 Thompson Nov. 20, 1928 Pitt May 8, 1945 Gottschalk Dec. 4, 1951 Mathiesen Oct. 20, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS France May 20, 1935 France May 27, 1953 

